The present invention relates to an insulation hanger, more particularly, butnot exclusively to an insulation hanger for securing sheet insulation material in place in wall construction.

Insulation hangers are widely usedin industrial cladding and domestic wall construction, for securing insulation materialto asubstrateforheatinsulationpurposes. Insulation hangers aretypicallyused to secure quilt or board type insulation material to awall substrate before exterior or interior finishes can be applied.

A known formof insulation hanger consists of an elongate metal pinor stud extending fromabase plate or footing. Typically, an array of said insulation hangers is secured to a substrate in a wall construction, for example by connecting the footing to the substrate using mechanical or chemical means, suchthatthepins extends fromthe substrate. The insulation material canthenbe mounted onthe substrate by impaling the insulation material onthe pins, for example by rolling out sheet insulation material down the face of the substrate.

There are a number of problems associated withthe known hanger described above. Ih certain cases, the hanger maynotbe suitable foruseon specific types of substrate, for example external metal substrates. Also, itis often imperative to clean each hanger andthe substrate prior to fixing, in particular ifthe hanger oftobe affixed to a substrate using adhesive. The process of cleaning and affixing each hanger canbelabourious. Furthermore, certain adhesives require a curing timeofup to 48 hours before insulation material canbe mounted onan affixed hanger. Also, the nature ofthe hangers is suchthat the storage and carrying of the required number of hangers for a given array is often less than ideal, since they are prone to contamination and bending.

Additionally, the installation of adhesive based hangers can only take place ina limited range of environmental conditions. Typically, for example, an installation temperature inthe range 50Cto 23 0C is required. Humidity is also relevant. This is inconvenient because the construction of buildings generally takes place in situations in which environmental control is difficult or simply not possible.

Adhesive installation also generally involves theuseof resins, which canbe hazardous to the health, and as such imposes related health and safety requirements onthe installation and other regulatory requirements onthe disposal of the resulting waste canisters andthe like. Furthermore, resins have a limited shelf life, typically between 6 months and a year.

The requirements associated with adhesive installation meanthat contractors often use either too much or too little adhesive. Too much adhesive is inefficient and compounds safety issues. Conversely, too little adhesive can result inpoor installations in which the insulation falls away over time, thus creating cold spots within a building's envelope.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved insulation hanger, which reduces the disadvantages referred to above.

According to the broadest aspect ofthe invention, there is provided an insulation hanger comprising a footing for securing to a substrate, and a plurality of fixing portions for receiving insulation material, the fixing portions extending relative to the footing wherein: the hanger is adapted to be rolled into a tape-like band.

Preferably, the fixing portions comprise elongate elements on which insulation material canbe impaled, andmay include animpaling end. The fixing portions maybe intheformof shards, pins or studs.

Preferably, the footing comprises an elongate strip of material.

In apreferred embodiment, the fixingportions are adapted tobe moved from astowedposition to an extended position.

Conveniently, the fixing portions are formed fromthe same piece of material as the footing, andmay be integral with the footing.

The footing may comprise a sheet material of any suitable dimension.

In a preferred embodiment, the hanger is adapted to be rolled into a tape-like band.

In a further embodiment, the fixing portions comprise discrete elements attachable to the footing at desired positions.

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a practicable alternative to known insulation hangers.

Embodiments ofthe invention willnowbe described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic viewof a portion of an insulation hanger according to a first aspect ofthe invention;

Figure2 is aschematicviewofaportionofaninsulation hangeraccordingto a second aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 is view of the hanger shown in Figure 2, in an assembled state;

Figure 4 is view from the rear of the hanger shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic viewof a portion of an insulation hanger according to a third aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic viewof aportion of an insulation hanger according to a fourth aspect ofthe invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a portion of an insulation hanger according to a fifth aspect of the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of aportionof an insulation hanger according to a sixth aspect of the invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic viewof a portion of an insulation hanger according to a seventh aspect of the invention; and

Figure 10 is aschematicviewofaportionofaninsulation hangeraccordingto a eighth aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 , a section of a length ofan insulation hanger according to a first embodiment oftheinvention is indicated generally at 10. The hanger consists ofan elongate bodyor strip 12 ofindeterminate length. Thestrip 12definesabaseorfooting l4forsecuringto asubstrate, for example an interior skin of a wall construction.

The body also includes a plurality of fixing portions 16, two of which are shown in Figure 1 , provided for receiving insulation material, as described in more detail below. Inthis embodiment, the fixing portions 16 areintheformofshard-likeprojectionshavingapiercingtip 18, forpiercing insulation material tobe anchored to a substrate. The fixing portions 16are arranged ata300mm spacing from one another and are each 150 mm long. In use, insulation material, for example insulation quilt or board, is impaled onthe fixing portions 16 for securing the insulation material relative to a substrate.

Inthis embodiment, the hanger 10 is made from stainless steel. As canbe seenfrom Figure 1 , the fixing portions 16 and footing 14 are formed from the same piece of material, for example by stamping or cutting the base material, with the fixing portions 16 integral to the footing 14.

The fixing portions 16 are formed so as tobe movable from a stowed position, in which the fixing portions 16 are substantially co-planar withthe footing 14, to an extended position shown in Figure 1 , in which they extend substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the footing 14. For example, the region of thebody at the transition of the footing 14 and fixing portion 16 maybe provided with fold lines or perforations.

The hanger 10 is adapted tobe rolled into atape-likeband, similar to that of atape measure band, in which the footing and fixing portions are coiled together. This is of particular advantage for storage and transportation of the hanger 10, reducing sizeandtheriskof damage or contamination. When required, a length of thebody 12 canbe unrolled and cut free from the band, for use as anchor for insulation material as described below. The hanger 10 is ideally suited to be supplied, pre-rolled, in a dispenser, so that a length ofthebody 12 canbe dispensed andcut freefromaroll of the hanger 10, as required.

A typical use of the hanger 10 will now be described.

Inuse, a required length of the hanger 10is positioned at a desired location, withtherear surface of the footing 14 placed adjacent a substrate to which the hanger 10 is to be attached, for example against the interior surface of a first skin of a wall construction

The footing 14isthen secured inplace as desired, for example using chemical or mechanical fixing means, suchas an adhesive, a plurality of screw-type fixings or staples. Once secured, the fixing portions 16 are moved from their stowed position to an extended position, ready to receive insulation material. Typically, the footing 14 willneedtobe secured to the substrate atits ends, as well as at intermediate positions along its length, e.g., at 1 m centres.

Insulation material is then impaled onthe fixing portions 16, andis pushed against the footing 14, so astobe fixed relative to the substrate, effectively to forma further skinof the wall construction. Once mounted, thetips ofthe fixing portions may protrude from the insulation material, in which case they are cut off or bent so as not to protrude from the material. A further skin of the wall construction canthenbe applied or constructed, for example inthe form of an interior or exterior finish.

The above described embodiment includes a base or footing in the form of an elongate strip. However, thefootingmayconsist ofsheet material ofany desired shape or dimension, for example a square or rectangular sheet, and may include an array of fixing portions as required.

Figures 2 to 4 showa section of a length of a hanger according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, indicated generally at20. Ihthis embodiment, the footing is intheformof an elongate strip of fabric 22, for example a reinforced nylon material. Thehanger20 also includes aplurality of discrete fixing elements 24, only one of which is shown in Figures 2 to 4. Each fixing element 24 is adapted to be attached to the footing strip 22 at a desired position along its length, for example at 300 mm centres.

The fixing element 24 includes a rectangular base portion 26, having three fixing regions 28, 30, 32. Each fixing region28, 30, 32 includes at least one triangular securing portion 34, adapted to pierce the footing strip 22, for securing the fixing element 24onthe footing strip 22. As canbe seen clearly in Figure 2, fixing region 30 lies ina plane spaced fromthat of fixing regions 28 and32, so thatthe footing strip 22 canbelocatedbetweenthetwo planes. Hence, the fixing regions 28, 30, 32 are so formed to enable the fixing element 24 to be arranged on the footing strip 22 in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. A fixing portion, inthe formof an impaling spike 36 of 150mmin length, extends from thebase portion 26, for receiving insulation material.

To mount the fixing element 24 onthe footing strip 22, fixing regions 28 and32 are passed behind the footing strip so that fixing region 30 passes overthe front ofthe footing strip 22. Starting from the top, i.e., with fixingregion28, the securing portions 34 are eachin turnpushed through the footing strip 22 to fixingly secure the fixing element 24 relative to the footing strip 22.

Once a desired number of fixing elements 24havebeen secured onthe footing strip 22, the hanger 20 canbeusedto fix insulation material relative to a substrate, in substantially the same manner as the hanger 10 described above with reference to Figure 1.

It willbe appreciated thatthe fixing portions maybe inthe formof shards, pins or studs, or other suitable formfor receiving insulation material. The fixing portions maybe arranged atany suitable spacing from one another andbe of any suitable length for receiving a specified depth of insulation material.

Figures 5 to 8 show further embodiments of aninsulationhanger, each comprising an elongate body or strip defining a base or footing, and a plurality of fixing portions as generally described previously. In the embodiments of figures 5 to 8, however, the corresponding fixing portions each comprise apluralityof fixing elements along a longitudinal lengthofthe fixing portion to provide a plurality of fixing positions. Hence, the fixing portions are configured for allowing a sheet of insulation material, orthelike, tobefixedatanyoneofapluralityoffixing positions. Thus, in operation, different thicknesses of insulation material may be installed and fixed at the most appropriate position. Similarly, multiple layers of insulation material maybe installed, each layer being fixed by a single fixing element at an appropriate fixing position.

Each further embodiment will now be described in more detail by way of example only. Referring to figure 5 , a further embodiment of an insulation hanger is shown generally at 40. The hanger 40 comprises an elongate body or strip 42 defining abase or footing 44, and aplurality of elongate fixing portions 46 as generally described previously. Each fixing 46 portion comprises a plurality of fixing elements 48 along a longitudinal length of the fixing portion 46.

Each fixing element 48 comprises apair of generally spike shapedbarbs 50, formed at respective sides ofthe corresponding fixing portion 46. The barbs 50 of eachpair are arranged for folding out fromthe corresponding fixing portion 46, at generally similar but opposing acute angles suchthat a sharp end of each barb 50 points generally towards the hanger.

Hence, in operation, whena desired thickness of insulation material is impaled onto the fixing portion 46 it can subsequently be pushed overthe barbs 50 of each fixing element 48, relatively easily until the insulation is inthe correct position. However, onceinposition, thebarbs 50 actto restrain removal of the insulation material and hence fix the insulation in position.

Itwillbe appreciated thatthe barbs 50 would have similar utility if they were folded out fromthe corresponding fixing portion 46 in the same direction rather than opposing directions.

In figure 6 , a further embodiment of an insulation hanger is shown generally at 60. The hanger 60 comprises an elongate body or strip 62 defining abase or footing 64, and aplurality of elongate fixing portions 66 as generally describedpreviously. Each fixing 66 portion comprises aplurality of fixing elements 68 along a longitudinal length of the fixing portion 66.

Thefixingportion 66 is similar to the fixing portion of the previous embodiment except that each fixing element 68 comprises a generally rectangular or square shapedbarb 70 formed generally at the transverse centre of the fixingportion 66. The barbs 60 are arranged for folding out fromthe corresponding fixing portion 66, at an acute angle such that a free end of eachbarb 70 points generally towards the base 64 of the hanger 60. The hanger 60 is further provided with a plurality of planar retainers 72 each having a narrow cental aperture 74 configured to allow the retainer 72 tobe slotted onto the fixing portion 66, in operation as illustrated by the dotted lines in figure 6. The aperture 74 is further configured such that, in operation, the retainer 72 canbe pushed over the barbs 70 inthe direction of thebase 64, by squeezing eachbarb 72 between walls of the aperture 74. However, the shape ofthe aperture 74 is also such that once a retainer 72 has been pushed over a particular barb 70 attempts to remove it fromthe fixing portion 66, result inthe aperture 74 becoming obstructed bythebarb 70. Thus the retainer 72 is restrained.

Hence, in operation, when a desired thickness of insulation material is impaled onto the fixing portion 66 it can subsequently be pushed over the barbs 70 and fixed in position by a corresponding retainer 72. It willbe appreciated that even without theuse of the retainer 72 the barbs 70 act to partially restrain removal of impaled insulation material.

In figure 6 every other barb 70 along the longitudinal length is shown folded in an opposite direction. It willbe appreciated, however, thatthebarbs70 would have similar utility iftheywere folded out in the same direction.

Li figure 7 , a further embodiment of an insulation hanger is shown generally at 80. The hanger 80 comprises apluralityofelongate fixing portions 82 eachhavingaplurality of fixing elements 84 along its longitudinal length, and a barbed and spiked end 86.

Each fixing element 84 comprises a generally elongate aperture having a longitudinal axis generally aligned witha longitudinal axis ofthe corresponding elongate fixing portion 82. Each aperture 84 has a length at least equal to the maximum width ofthe spiked end 86 of the fixing portion 82 and a width greater than the thickness of the fixing portion 82.

Hence, in typical operation, a desired thickness of insulation material is impaled onto the fixing portion 82 andpositionedas required. The insulation material isthen securedimpositionbybending the fixingportion 82backon itself; twisting thespikedend 86 into alignment witha corresponding aperture 84; passing the spiked end 86 through the corresponding aperture 84; andthen twisting the spiked end 86 back out of alignment with the aperture 84 to retain the end 86 in position. Hence, the insulation material is secured in place by the bent fixing portion 82.

In figure 7 the fixing portion 82 is shown in asecuredpositionbentbackon itself withthe spiked end 86 retained in an aperture 84. The dotted lines illustrate an unsecured position.

In figure 8 , a further embodiment of an insulation hanger is shown generally at 90. The hanger 90 comprises aplurality of elongate frxingportions 92 each having apluralityofcircular fixing apertures 94 along its longitudinal length. Thehanger 90 is further provided with aplurality of retainer rods or wires 96.

Hence, in typical operation, desired thickness of insulation material is impaled ontothe fixing portion 92. A retainer rodor wire 96 is then passed through a corresponding fixing aperture 94 to secure the insulation in place. The rod or wire 96 may be subsequently deformed to restrain it in the corresponding aperture 94.

Figures 9 and 10 show yet further embodiments of an insulation hanger, each comprising an elongate body or strip defrning abase or footing, anda plurality of fixing portions having a spiked end as generally described previously. Inthe embodiments of figures 9 and 10, however, the fixing portions each comprise an alternative configuration of the spiked end arranged for allowing improved retention of the insulation material.

Infigure9 , afurtherembodimentofaninsulationhangeris shown generally at 100. Thehanger 100 com' prises a plurality of elongate fixing portions 102 each having a spiked end region 104 as generally described previously. However, each spiked end region 104 further comprises a generally central longitudinal split 106 dividing the end region 104 into two sections 108a, 108b. Hence, inoperation, thetwo sections 108aand 108b. mayeachbe folded in opposite directions fromanimpalingposition 110forimpaling insulationmaterial as shown in dotted lines onfigure 9, to forma retention position 112 for retaining the insulation material as shown in solid lines figure 9.

hi figure 10, a further embodiment of an insulation hanger is shown generally at 120. The hanger 120 comprises a plurality of elongate fixing portions 122 each having a spiked end region 124 as generally described previously. However, each spiked end region 124 further comprises an angled tail split 126 defining a spiked tail region 128 extending from, andinthe opposite direction to , the spiked end region.

Hence, in operation, each spiked end region maybe folded, along a single foldline 129, from an impaling position 130 for impaling insulation material as shown in dotted lines on figure 10, to form a retention position 132, in whichthe spliced end and tailregions 124, 128 extend in opposite directions from the corresponding fixing portion 122 for retaining the insulation material.

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a practicable alternative to known insulation hangers.